The Future is Now

The only way to prepare for the future is to create the future. I am dedicated to helping my students do their best to be those creators through inquiry, technology use, and creativity

Skills

I am a lifelong learner who truly cares about my students and their future success because I believe they can make their future now.

K-8 Generalist

I have the most experience teaching 2nd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students ELA, social studies, science and math. I am especially experienced teaching math, science, and social studies to 4th grade students. I have the most experience using curriculum based on US common core for ELA, and NGSS standards for science, and AERO standards for math and social studies. I am also familiar with Chinese Nationals Standards and UK's National

ESL

I hold a CELTA certification and have lots of experience teaching ESL students. I have taught in China as a homeroom teacher using English as the main language. I also studied Latin, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin which has helped me understand what it is like to be a second language learner.

Education Technology

My Master of Science degree focused on technology use in Education and instruction. I am able to do administrative tasks within a school setting, teach digital citizenship, utilize paperless options, and as you can see make cool websites quickly. I understand the importance of technology use within today's classroom in a balanced and responsible manner.

My students celebrate their soccer victory for the annual soccer competition. Amid insurmountable odds their team spirit and effort handed them this well deserved victory.

SKILLS

Teaching Philosophy

Goals and Classroom Implementation

Curriculum

Through collaboration with fellow teachers, I produce and use engaging lessons based on standards, needs of my students, and resources available.

Lessons are formed through the backward design approach beginning with Common Core State Standards, NGSS Standards, and AERO Standards.

Lessons incorporate a mix of teaching styles such as centers, project based learning, and some direct instruction.

Lessons are made using a Scope and Sequence which is constantly tweaked and updated as fitting.

This project required students to collaborate so as to produce a 3D typographical map that helped them visualize their 2D topographical maps that they created.

Assessment

Students can be assessed quickly in many different ways. Here I could see if the students understood how to properly measure angles using a protractor. They also were able to practice saying the angles in English.

My lessons start with the Standards and then are followed by what assessments are needed to gauge progress and achieve success. I utilize various forms of assessments so as to better diagnose the needs of my students and to offer specific feedback which is one of the most important ingredients for academic success.

Summative Assessments: These are used consistently after completing a specific topic to see whether or not my students fully understand the concepts being taught.

Formative Assessments: I utilize every small worksheet, piece of homework, or other specific tasks given to students to measure their understanding and offer the proper feedback (often immediately).

Informal Assessments: When I observe my students in centers, and during class or group discussions, I either address the issue immediately or take little notes down in my notebook so as address that students' need at a later time. I will even change lessons or adapt the scope and sequence so as to fit my students' needs.

Standardized or Norm Testing: I use the Map data to pinpoint the exact needs of my students and measure their progress in a data-driven manner so as to set realistic goals, differentiate learning, and focus on the content areas that need extra help.

Differentiation and Diversity

One of my favorite courses during my Master's program was on School and Society. I truly enjoyed learning about Culturally Responsive Teaching. I have mainly taught Chinese and Korean students and I hope to expand my cultural experiences with students from other backgrounds. Furthermore, my students all have different learning abilities. The main challenge I have faced has been the English ability within the class which ranges from beginner English to native speaker. I have been able to find ways to differentiate the learning experiences for my students so they can progress and hit their learning goals. I have also sought to make the content culturally relevant.

Centers are used with activities that can fit the needs of each student according to their own abilities.

Mini lessons on content driven by up-to-date data are given to students constantly and consistently.

Groups are made that are both homogeneous and heterogenous, depending on the situation or activity.

Activities cater to all learner types.

Technology is used in a smart and efficient way so as to offer more ways to reach the students.

Topics and content often relate to the students' culture first so as help them make connections.

Students practice literacy within science class by reading leveled books related to the topic. They are put in small groups based on reading ability so that they can read text they easily understand.

Curiosity about the World

Students do many hands on activities in science class. Here they are learning both the definition of a scientific fruit, and figuring out how seeds are formed.

Learning is a lifelong endeavor and this begins with the teacher. I continuously try to challenge myself to learn something new each day because I won't be able to ignite this same flame within my students if I am not setting a good example. I continuously encourage my students to learn for the sake of learning, even if the only outcome is the joy that comes with learning something new. This means lessons need to be engaging, full of memorable and powerful experiences, and connect with each students' current and future lives.

Topics need to meet the required standards but yet spark interest.

During science, use the environment as a real learning tool rather than just books and videos.

Math needs to be exciting for the students yet challenge them. Gamification and interactive activities are excellent ways to make math engaging.

Use personal examples as a catalyst towards real world connections. I talk about my culture and let my students share about their cultures. Excellent for comparing and contrasting and then expanding on that.

Collaboration and Communication

When I was 12 years old I attended a boarding school that required us to work in teams. I have been working in teams ever since. I am more than an expert in teamwork and collaboration. I firmly believe this is essential for the success of any individual because it helps people develop EQ skills. Communication is challenging . Communicating with parents and students whose native language is Chinese or Korean is extra challenging because the languages are so vastly different than English and there are cultural considerations to take into account. After years of practice, experience, and effort, I have become an expert in both collaboration and communication. I teach these skills to my students as well because these will help my students become successful.

Maintain regular communication with all stakeholders through the various mediums depending on the situation.

Create rapport with parents through positive communication. Thus I can address negative issues when problems arise.

Work with fellow grade level teachers but also work across grade levels so as to create impacting lessons and offer more learning opportunities for students.

Share best practices online through PLNs. I am part of three teaching groups and I often read tips and suggestions that help me improve my teaching ability. I also share in areas that I have expertise in such as ESL learning, technology, and teaching abroad.

Students need to collaborate. Teachers do as well. This amazing topographical map activity happened because my fellow teachers and I worked together to plan it and make sure it was a huge success. Most importantly, the students succeeded in learning the objectives of the project.

Classroom Management

It is essential to have a happy class if you want success. Students need to be challenged and given the opportunity to achieve reachable goals. My management style is both consistent but patient. As you can see, my students are happy as well.

If someone were to ask me what is the most important feature of classroom management, I would immediately say consistency and patience. There are certainly different methods scattered across the web and best practice studies but experience often wins out in the end. Each child is unique and each child responds differently to different environments and situations. The most important goal is to create a positive learning environment which is both safe and engaging for all students.

I have high expectations for my students and I demand their very best. When they see what their own capabilities being tested and stretched, they reach out to attain heights they never imagined were possible.

Routines, rules, and procedures are an every day staple in my classroom.

Giving students the freedom to develop on their own is very important for their personal growth. Failure and success are both learning tools that can help students achieve the impossible.

Reflection after a project, activity, or discussion is very important for success. I often have my students engage in reflective activities to help them see how they can improve and do better. They also look at their strengths.

Lesson Portfolio

Sample Lesson Plans and Video Examples

2nd Grade Language Arts

4th Grade Science

4th Grade Math

Science Lesson

Unpacking Standards Presentation

Lesson Portfolior

Educational Technology Examples

In this section, I want to showcase some examples of projects I have worked on. I will showcase four simple examples: 1.) My work within my ICT committee which highlights my ability to work collaboratively and create a product geared towards helping teachers 2.) My writing on technology by showcasing my Master's Thesis paper on paperless schools which highlights my ability to use data and create research content. 3.) An example of my action cycles and driver diagram which shows how I goal set.

ICT Committee - SWAY Product

Paperless Schools

Instructional Video - Blooket

EXPERIENCE

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2020-2024

Primary Teacher |

Primary Math and Science Chair

Basis International School Hangzhou

I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade students math and science. I also guide 14 teachers in lesson planning, curriculum design, offering cognitive coaching sessions, and using data coupled with classroom observations to aid in professional development.

2019-Present

Grade 4

Science and Inquiry / Math

Springboard International Bilingual School - Beijing

I'm currently teaching 26 students science, social studies, and math. We are utilizing AERO standards for math and social studies, and NGSS standards for science. We are implementing PYP as well. I am also the homeroom teacher for 12 students so I communicate frequently with the parents of these students. I currently help develop and improve the 4th grade science and math curriculum.

2017-2019

Grade 2

ELA, Science, Social Studies, Math

Springboard International Bilingual School - Beijing

I taught ELA, science, math, social studies, and ICT using the Common Core and NGSS standards. My class size was 17 students of mainly Chinese and Korean speakers with varied English language ability. The second grade team produced most of the curriculum content.

2016-2017

Lead Foreign ESL Teacher

Best Learning English

I maintained my normal teaching duties of ELA, social studies, math and science to grade 4 and grade 5 students but I also managed 17 foreign ESL teachers. During this time, I helped improve the science curriculum, and resource center within the training school.

2010-2013

Youth Coordinator

Mission Network

I successfully operated 4 youth clubs between Napa Valley and Bakersfield, CA. I ran an after school program at Canyon Heights Academy called Conquest, where I guided students in character formation. I aided high school students in two humanitarian trips to Nicaragua through fundraising efforts, and logistics. I also accompanied them.

2009-2010

Dean of Students

Sacred Heart Apostolic School

I was in charge of student life for the high school boarding students. I maintained contact between parents. I organized teamwork. I scheduled after school activities. I managed student behavior. I also substituted teachers when necessary. I was able to organize and fundraise for a humanitarian trip to Mexico as well during this time.

CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION

EDUCATION

2022-2024

Masters of Education |

UK QTS

Harvard Graduate School of Education

HGSE is considered a top 5 school globally by numerous sources. I am a proud cohort 1 member of HGSE's only online master's program. There are currently 89 students in cohort 1. We have been able to study from top experts in the field of education leadership, as well as explore how we can make a difference in the education ecosystem.

At the same time, but not in the same program, I was able to gain my UK teaching qualification - which is for life.

2019-2020

Arizona K-8 Teaching License |

Teaching Certification Program

TEACHNOW

I began teaching full time while abroad and this creates challenges for obtaining a US teaching license. I overcame these obstacles by enrolling in this amazing program so that I could achieve my teaching license through the state of Arizona. I also grew a lot as a teacher during this time period.

2017-2018

Master of Science in Education

FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF STEUBENVILLE

Franciscan is ranked #17 out of 165 universities for the 2020 US News and World Report Midwest Regional universities. I was able to complete my entire degree within one year because I enrolled in required courses during the summer and took an extra course with special permission during the last semester. I finished with a 3.94 GPA. My focus was on education technology and online instruction. My final project focused on paperless schools. Many of my courses were about technology use within education.

2016

CELTA

LANGUAGE LINK

Even though I was working full time, I was able to complete the CELTA certification through the blended course they currently provide rather than the intensive 1 month course. The blended course was still quite intensive. I learned about how to properly teach ESL learners, and prepare lesson plans with this in mind. The instructors were very experienced and they demanded my very best.

2007-2009

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

PONTIFICAL ATHENAEUM REGINA APOSTOLORUM

This university is found in Rome, Italy. It is a world leader in the study of Bioethics. I attended this university because I was a seminarian at the time. I decided not to pursue this afterwards but the lessons I learned and the ability to think deeply on challenging matters has stuck with me for my entire life. I even read texts in their Latin original. I graduated Summa Cum Laude.

2003-2007

Associates of Arts in Humanities

LEGION OF CHRIST COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES

The reason this time period is so long is because not all my time was spent in study and classes. I was a committed seminarian at the time, and dedicated much of my time to spiritual matters, education, physical labor, and doing non-profit endeavors. I studied ancient languages, read classical literature, learned the ins and outs of public speaking, and even did some physics and business math. I learned to appreciate the great works of art throughout history and even translated a chapter of Homer's Odyssey from the original Greek.

CONTACT